The “M” Position describes the embouchure formation produced when you imagine saying the letter “M.” It aligns the lips and places them in close proximity to each other with a minimum amount of tension. As trumpet players, we also make sure that this gentle contact between the lips allows the center to be the point of least resistance, so the air can freely pass through the center of the formation when we blow.

That makes a lot of sense, that way the picture doesn’t lead us to a set up that is unfit for our own face. Thank you. I’ll continue to read and digest your thoughts throughout the site and work with it.

Thanks for your question, which is a good one. There’s a reason that there is no picture of the embouchure on the blog. Everyone’s facial and dental structure is different, and so what it takes to achieve the ideal balance of embouchure focus, a free flowing airstream, jaw position, mouthpiece placement and weight distribution will be different for everyone. There is also the aspect of what the position feels like, which cannot be conveyed visually.

If I would post a picture, there would be several of them…a variety of faces and lips, and the way they would look like in their state of rest, what the set would look like while anticipating the air, and what it would look like while actually blowing air…with and without the horn.

Without my being able to see how you are setting up, you can best answer your own question by following all of the guidelines as carefully as you can.

All the best,

Bob

]]>Comment on Holding “The Position” for 30 Minutes by Darrien Ollivierrehttps://bobgillis.wordpress.com/2011/06/13/holding-the-position-for-30-minutes/#comment-1378
Sun, 21 Jan 2018 03:20:11 +0000http://bobgillis.wordpress.com/?p=256#comment-1378I’m still trying to figure out the exact shape of the embouchure. Do you have pictures of what it should look like?
]]>Comment on The Landing: The Final Focus and Seal by bobgillishttps://bobgillis.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/the-landing-the-final-focus-and-seal/#comment-1354
Thu, 05 Oct 2017 11:03:06 +0000http://bobgillis.wordpress.com/?p=2608#comment-1354Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jerome. I think we would all agree that there are many opinions as to what the “best” way of playing the trumpet is, but the fact is, we are all subject to the same physical laws. The words we use for terminology often mean different things to different players, and can be vague. I come from the camp that believes we have to be as well versed in the design and assembly of the human part of our instrument as the trumpet or mouthpiece designer and builder is with the metal parts. I can’t really review all of the information I’ve tried to present in this blog with this brief response, but would offer this: You have to experiment with any idea that has merit, and be as careful as you can to make sure any experiment is done under the most controlled conditions, so you can really determine why something works or does not work. If done properly, your own experience will reveal the answers you seek. Awareness is critical. The questions will continue to rise as long as you sense limitations in your own playing and desire to improve, and so you must continue to address them in the same methodical way.

I wish you all of the best, Jerome!

Bob

]]>Comment on The Landing: The Final Focus and Seal by Jeromehttps://bobgillis.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/the-landing-the-final-focus-and-seal/#comment-1353
Wed, 04 Oct 2017 18:26:11 +0000http://bobgillis.wordpress.com/?p=2608#comment-1353Hi Bob and thank you for your answer.
What I wanted to say is what is the more important: the roll-in of your C diagram, or to have a large red lip part exposed to the air flow to obtain a better vibration, a good sound and a better endurance. In the second case, maybe you have to do a (little) roll-in or a (little) roll-out? It’s depend of the extern part of your lip? Is it the “good” theory? Of course you have to avoid a mouthpiece full of lip or the space between teeth full of lip lol.
When I speak about roll-in roll-out it’s maybe what it seems to be for your brain but in fact it’s just few mm from the “M” position in one sense or the other?
It’s like for the corners. When the pressure increase I think that my corners are getting closer together but in fact in the mirror they don’t move. It’s just a sensation but it’s to keep the aperture centered and opened. Same thing for my upper jaw: I think it goes to the back (it’s impossible!) but the lower jaw goes to the front. With that, the teeth stay on a same line.
All that, is a little bit subjective, isn’t it? lol
]]>Comment on The Landing: The Final Focus and Seal by bobgillishttps://bobgillis.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/the-landing-the-final-focus-and-seal/#comment-1352
Wed, 04 Oct 2017 10:58:52 +0000http://bobgillis.wordpress.com/?p=2608#comment-1352Hi Jerome,

If you have something that works for you, why change it? However, if you would like to improve certain aspects of your playing, you should always consider where your current fundamental approach may be failing you. The hugging aspect of diagram C is only one part of the Scissor Action, and of the entire playing system. Also remember that those diagrams are very crude, and show a very general action of the embouchure muscles, without representing every possible type of lip tissue. If your “roll-out” position continued to roll-out more and more during your playing, it would eventually lose its functionality, so consider that some of that hugging action generally illustrated in Diagram C would keep your current position from going too far in that direction.

Thanks for sharing your question, Jerome…you brought up an important point, and stimulated discussion on a key point of embouchure formation.

Good luck!

Bob

]]>Comment on The Landing: The Final Focus and Seal by Jeromehttps://bobgillis.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/the-landing-the-final-focus-and-seal/#comment-1351
Wed, 04 Oct 2017 01:01:24 +0000http://bobgillis.wordpress.com/?p=2608#comment-1351Hi Bob,
Very instructive reading!! I have a question about the “C” image where the “roll-in” shape gives a larger red lip part exposed to the air. I have thin lips: you can’t see the red lip part when I have a closed mouth. So if I want a larger red lip part exposed to the air flow, I have to do a “roll-out” position. In this case the vibration is more free and the center is more relaxed than with roll-in position. Is not the good way in my case? For you the good way is the roll in position like the C figure? Thank you for your help
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